Tldr: thinking out loud about my relationship with Poland in a way that might be a cognate to how others feel about Ireland

Yeah, we Americans have an odd relationship with the countries our ancestors come from. My dad’s grandparents were all from the region now known as Poland. He was always fond of Polish foods, I think because that’s what he grew up with. His niece wore a borrowed traditional Polish dress for her confirmation. My aunts knit and are into Polish patterns. Lots of Polish love on that side of the family.

My mom’s family has been in Appalachia since the 1800s. That side brings in Hatfield and McCoy blood and carries on those traditions by being a disfunctional mess. I don’t associate with that side.

Given the choice, it feels better to lean into Polish stuff. Pierogi and cabbage+anything is a comfort food. Makes me feel closer to my dad. So, for me, it’s not about the country Poland. It’s about distancing myself from my asshole mom’s family and embracing my dad’s relatives.

Thanks. I try my best to help.

My biggest bit of advice to people buying their elderly parents tech: pick an OS and stick to it. I’m tired of nice old ladies coming in with an iPhone and an Android tablet, looking for help. They’re fine with one or the other OS. Swapping confuses them.

I’m disappointed that Librarian isn’t on the list. We’re super trustworthy! Edit: some librarians might count as civil servants. I’m tbh not sure where that line is.

TBH, I’m not convinced regular Spam is trying to act like meat. Sometimes people just want a hunk of spiced protein.

I wish they would. It might mean fewer fire alarms tripped by vapes. (I work in a college library and it’s not funny have to evacuate the building just because someone decided to vape in a study room.)

Yep, part of evaluating a work is knowing whose work it is. I’ll read a paper on, say, lung cancer by SirTobaccoLobbyist differently than one by DrCancerResearcher. If I don’t know whose work it is, it’s very hard to contextualize.